Two Cabinet members to resign

Two Cabinet members yesterday announced plans to resign from their current posts to run in the upcoming legislative elections, saying they hoped their participation in the race would help break Taiwan's current political stalemate.

Vice Chairman of the Council for Cultural Affairs Luo Wen-chia (羅文嘉) and the Executive Yuan's Research, Development and Evaluation Commission Vice Chairman You Ying-lung (游盈隆), made public their desire to quit from their present positions to run in the legislative election this December at a press conference yesterday.

Luo plans to run in Taipei City, whereas You intends to campaign in Hualien County.

"It will be a new beginning for me to join the race, and I know it will be tough. But I look forward to making a little change to the political atmosphere of the country, elevating the quality of the legislation and bringing new ideas to the legislature," said Luo, an expert in campaign publicity for President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) for almost a decade.

Some politicians, however, saw the move as a sign the DPP was in crisis, and that the two deputy leaders had felt trapped in positions where their abilities could not be brought into full play.

"It is rather unusual for executives to quit to join the campaign race. I think the DPP is facing some ruling difficulties because, after all, these DPP officials are more adept at election strategies, than administrating," PFP lawmaker Diane Lee (李慶安) told the Taipei Times.

"In addition, the two used to be rather active when the DPP was the opposition. But they've barely been heard since the DPP took power, and their performances in their present positions have hardly drawn any attention."

You said the DPP had so far been an ineffectual ruling party because of its disadvantageous position in the Legislative Yuan.

"Today's political deadlock stems from the DPP's minority status in the legislature, which has crippled the implementation of the governmental policies," said You, adding that he hoped that joining the legislature would help strengthen the DPP.

Director of the DPP's department of organizational development Liu I-te (劉一德), shared Lee's view that the move may indicate the two had not received enough attention as assistant executives.

"It is kind of a waste for officials to run for elections ? I assume they have found themselves being placed in a difficult situation because they have not gained as much attention as they used to," Liu said.

Analysts, however, put a more positive spin on the move.

"I agree with You that running in the election is meant to help break the political impasse," said Wang Yeh-li (王業立), chairman of the political science department at Tunghai University.

"In accordance with our Constitutional system, the significance of the legislative branch will be increased gradually. If the ruling party does not enjoy a dominant position in the legislature, it will make policy execution almost impossible? I think the DPP's resolution to secure more seats at the legislature is definitely a good strategy."